Some Great Inspirational African Proverbs and Sayings About Love and Marriage

According to the African point of view, love and marriage is paramount and a right of passage in life. In fact, in some communities, the elders still do everything possible to ensure that young men and women end up in their own homes. To compel them to get hooked, Africans employed various techniques including indirectly attacking them using proverbs, wise sayings, idioms and riddles.

A Nigerian Couple

The choice of a marriage partner in some communities is fully the responsibility of the elders, especially the parents. This is may not be cool to many, but there is a Swahili proverbs that says, “mchagua jembe, sio mkulima”-roughly translated “he who handpicks a hoe, is not a good farmer.” There are thousands of wise African love and marriage proverbs, but I have handpicked some few top ones for this post. Please note that some of them have been translated from different African languages and might not sound as original as they should actually be, but you sure will get the meaning.

1. Love and coffee test best when hot: Ethiopian proverb, isn't this true?
2. A happy man will marry a girl he loves, but he who is happier loves the girl he marries; origin country unclear, but African proverb that seeks to enhance love in marriage
3.  Love is best expressed with deeds, and not mere words; Swahili proverb (similar to many countries and cultures, including some religions). Show it, don’t just say it!
4.  If money/wealth was to be found on trees, many people wouldn't mind marrying monkeys…an African proverb about unconditional love, especially against love that is founded on wealth.
5. Ugly people must either learn to dance or make love: Zimbabwean proverb that means that, the not so good-looking individuals must find some reason to attract suitors-like dancing or perfecting in the art of love making. Can be applied in other contexts as well.
6. If you marry a monkey for money, and the money goes, you sure will remain with the monkey: This is an Egyptian proverb that encourages people to weigh their options before making decisions. Some short term factors like wealth can go, but the personality and physique of your wife or husband will sure remain.
7. Falling in love is easy, staying in love is the hustle-An African proverb that encourages people to maintain and sustain their love life.
8. Don’t yearn for a woman with beautiful breasts if you have no wealth: This South African love proverb is a fact many people would rather not say, if you want quality, ensure that you can maintain the standards or someone else, who can, will. How can you take care of a beautiful wife if you are broke anyway?  
9.  If you love the vase, you must love whatever is inside: It is an African proverb about loving wholesomely. You cannot love a woman’s physical beauty and dislike her characters for example, you may not like some things, but you will have to endure them.



An african family

10. Never marry a woman with bigger feet than your own: Mozambique marriage proverb, get a wife you are compatible with.

There are numerous other great love proverbs as used in the African culture, will be sharing them with time. Love knows no culture, country or background. It is universal and one of the most discussed topics in the world today.  It has been expressed in songs, dances, movies and all means you can ever think of so long as the delivery of the love message is perfect.  I hope you enjoyed the reading, please share your thoughts, comments and suggestions.